Griz CEO Jason Levien: 'We're good enough to be a very tough out in the playoffs'

Levien see no reason for moves

Grizzlies CEO Jason Levien said the team never considered dealing away forward Tayshaun Prince (left, defending New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony). “We really like our roster,” Levien said. “Our chemistry is very positive and we really like our culture.”

The Commercial Appeal

The NBA trade deadline came and went Thursday afternoon without the Grizzlies so much as clearing their throats.

There was nothing to talk about.

No deal came close.

"It went as expected," Griz CEO Jason Levien said. "We were very thorough and did a lot of diligence. We talked to every team in the league, and we had a focus on our team and the future. We didn't really expect to do anything. We really like our roster. Our chemistry is very positive and we really like our culture. It was a high bar for us to move anybody. We really didn't want to subtract anybody."

Actually, the Griz did their work early. They added James Johnson and Courtney Lee well before the trade deadline. And Memphis essentially will benefit from an addition to its roster with veteran guard Tony Allen (left wrist sprain) returning from a 21-game layoff Friday night when the Griz host the Los Angeles Clippers.

While the Griz still plan to soon add a third point guard, the man controlling the franchise says he likes the Grizzlies' chances in their final 29 regular-season games and beyond.

"We're a deeper team than last year," Levien said. "We've added some key pieces. The stars certainly have to align for us to make a run in the playoffs like we did last year. I certainly think we're good enough to be a playoff team if we're relatively healthy. We're good enough to be a very tough out in the playoffs and have a long run."

The Griz reached the Western Conference finals last season after winning a franchise-record 56 regular-season games. Now, Memphis is ninth entering Friday's action, but just a game behind Dallas for the eighth and final playoff seed in the West.

Levien said the front office was reluctant to make major moves because of a desire to see what a healthy team could accomplish.

"We feel good because we're getting healthy," Levien said. "Having Mike (Conley) back and Marc (Gasol) back and Tony (Allen) — all three of those guys are critical to our success. I don't think we've gotten the chance to see our full roster. We're excited for the next 29 games to see who we are and to see if we can reach our potential."

Levien insisted that Griz management never considered breaking up the team's core. That means a frequently reported deal sending Allen and forward Tayshaun Prince to Minnesota for J.J. Barea and Chase Budinger was pure fiction.

"We're not in a position where we want to comment on every rumor," Levien said. "We stayed silent, but we knew all along that it was erroneous and there was no traction on any deal. We value Tony. We just signed him. We think he's one of the most unique players in the NBA. Getting him back on the floor is tremendous for us.

"We didn't want to trade him. There were teams that liked Tony Allen, and I understand why. But we never had any intention to trade him."

Levien cited the team's high character and culture of unselfishness as reasons for his confidence.

"The vision is to take the core group of guys who were here when we arrived and build around them with players who are unselfish, super-competitive and can shoot," Levien said. "We want to build a culture that focuses on winning and doing the things the right way. We're building with high-character guys. We believe that putting players like that around our core players will make us successful. With everything, we're mindful of the salary cap and luxury tax and the rules to give ourselves a chance to be successful in the long run."